But definitely look at these portraits. These are some of the people I've met reporting on agriculture in New York State. I thank them for their hard work and their passion for telling agriculture's story in all its forms.

I met Ismael on a dairy farm in Lewis County. He's in the country illegally, came when he was 15. He says he was able to get surgery for his teeth with the money he made. "I used to be afraid to smile". Photo: David Sommerstein

Kristina Randazzo-Ives of Coyote Moon winery in Clayton and Tim Martinson of Cornell University test the ability of cold climate grapes to make good wines. Photo: David Sommerstein

Shelly Stein, a dairy farmer near Batavia, says she "loves her girls". Photo: David Sommerstein

Jay Matteson helps farmers of all kinds try to get ahead in Jefferson County. Photo: David Sommerstein.

I met these boys and their neighbor at La Finca del Sur, a women-led community garden in the south Bronx. Photo: David Sommerstein

St. Lawrence Brewery brewer Stephanie Russo at work in Canton. Photo: David Sommerstein.

Jacquie Berger, director of Just Food in New York City, helps local farm produce reach CSA members across the city. Photo: David Sommerstein.

Ron Robbins of North Harbor Dairy in Sackets Harbor. Photo: David Sommerstein

Freddy has worked on dairy farms in Lewis County for years. He was planning to go home to Mexico last fall. Photo: David Sommerstein

Mike Kiechle is a dairy farmer in Philadelphia, NY. He believes his great-grandfather brought the famous cream cheese recipe from Germany. Photo: David Sommerstein

Stephen Knight, director of United Helpers in canton, has been working with a group to start a food hub in St. Lawrence County. So far, they haven't succeeded. Photo: David Sommerstein

Dan and Megan Kent of Kent Family Growers are trying to sell more of their vegetables in places like Brooklyn. Photo: David Sommerstein